Let’s say under $1k for fun.
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Let’s say under $1k for fun.
I've had the best results with cords from Shunyata (Venom) or Zu (Event) on digital/front-end and Transparent on amp(s). Haven't tried a gazillion but probably 5-10 other brands (under 1k). These are the ones I kept based on build quality and some perceived difference in sound.
I use Shunyata for my Denali.
All of the rest are Tripp-Lite 14 awg from Amazon, at about $10-20 each, depending on length.
Are they as good or better than Shunyatas? Of course not.
I'm on a mission to show audiophiles that the set-up is far more powerful than simply better components installed in a system that is compromised in set-up - usually - and sadly - on several levels.
Nearly all of the visitors who come here say it is the best - or one of the best - music playback systems they have heard. ALL comment on the strong ME factor. Musical Engagement.
Sorry for the distraction! I am amazed at how many audiophiles (the majority of them) ignore this aspect.
The fantastic news is that Mike does a great job when he is involved, much better than ANY other dealers whose work I've gone behind.
Shunyata Delta NR v2 right at $1K. I used mine to very good effect for my review of the Aurender N20 for TAS. It's really a great power cord for the money; better than the orignal Alpha NR version 1 for half the cost.
You get Shunyata's latest NR technology, providing ~12-14dB of noise reduction utilized where it matters significantly, which right near the component's own power supply, and blocks noise components coming back out* from the component's full-wave bridge rectifier power supply, where it can be distributed to the other source and amplification devices, and contaminate those devices with noise components.
If not that, then Venom NR V10. Quite comparable to the Delta NR v2, though the Delta NR v2 has CopperCONN plugs which make a notable improvement.
*-lest we forget, the current is AC; alternating current, which mean it runs...BOTH WAYS, into the component, and...OUT of the component. Doh! 😜
I like my Clarus Crimson. It really improved things back when I had my Pass amp and I stuck with it. I use a 20 amp on power amp and 15 amp on everything else.
A friend uses Triode Wire Labs, not sure the current pricing, but I was impressed at how close the performance was to my Clarus for les money. Interestingly, I thought the voicing was similar as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmusica
How did Shunyata compare with Zu? I’ve had the Events in my system.
Are there any issues with competing noise reduction systems if one already has a power conditioner in place? The folks over at thecableco.com recommend the non-NR versions of the Shunyata if one has a power conditioner. Just curious if others have tried both versions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Puma Cat
No.Quote:
Originally Posted by dminches
The folks at thecableco.com have got it, er, um, a bit...inaccurately.Quote:
The folks over at thecableco.com recommend the non-NR versions of the Shunyata if one has a power conditioner. Just curious if others have tried both versions.
Getting back to a basic premise which we need always keep foremost in our minds is that this is AC...alternating current. Which goes both ways....INTO the system components' power supplies and...OUT of the system components' power supplies.
From an article Caelin wrote a while back:
"A primary source of audible sonic degradation is caused by the power supplies in our audio/video components. Most components use FWBR (full wave bridge rectifier) power supplies that generate an incredible amount of transient noise when the rectifiers switch off. The design of a power cable can significantly affect the reactance of these signals within the power supply. The power cable is effectively part of the primary winding of the power transformer. The transition between the various metals used in a power cable and its connectors can cause electromagnetic reflections and diode-like rectification of the noise impulses as they propagate away from the power supply. If the power cable presents a high impedance to these signals they will be reflected back into the power supply where they will intermodulate, thus increasing the high frequency noise levels of the component. Most power supply filters are ineffective at blocking very high frequency noise components and much of it is passed through to the DC rails. The sonic effects of this include: high background noise levels, blurred or slurred transients and a general lack of clarity and purity of the sound or visual image.”
The power distributor's internal noise reduction system is to mitigate noise (e.g. RFI, EMI, and leakage, etc.) from entering the overall system components from the AC "mains"...i.e, going into the components power supplies. The function of the NR power cord is to keep noise from the bridge rectifier power supplies from going back out from the components to the other system components. This is why the noise reduction filter for the NR power cord is built into the IEC plug end..near the component, because it works most effectively when it is as close as possible to the component's internal power supply.
The non-NR power cords, e.g. the Shunya Omega, Sigma, Alpha, Delta XC, etc. power cords are intended for connecting power distributors (PD) to the AC mains because these power cords are specifically designed to deliver as much current to the PD as possible, which is what you want in a PC that is connected from the AC mains to the PD (in other words, these PCs don't need NR because the PD they are connected to provides that).
If you're connecting from the wall receptable directly to a say, an amp, then you want to use a NR power cord in this application, because there is no NR-capable PD to provide NR filtering coming in from the AC mains.
The other place to use an XC PC is with a product e.g. the First Sound preamps, which have external power supplies with Shunyata CCI-X NR tech already built into the input end (AC end) of the power supply, so you don't need to use a NR power cord here because it's already "built in".
I have a balanced power system with an Equi=tech 10Q. It is with this information that thecableco made their recommendation. I am not sure if that changes your comments.Quote:
Originally Posted by Puma Cat
Well, it doesn't change the physics, and in this Universe, that's all that matters at the end of the day.Quote:
Originally Posted by dminches
Cheers.
Acoustic Zen Gargantua II is my go to power cord for anything under $1k used. This cable basicly does everything right and has a certain "musical/organic" sense, natural timbres and an easy flowing liquidity that is hard to find under a few grands.
I use the Krakatoa to my Pass INT-60
Black Cat Silverstar
--from a guy that knows his stuff Chris Sommivigo.
Bruce
Sorry for getting this question out so late. This is possibly inconsistent with what Steve (PumaCat) is suggesting, which might be (I am not sure) that the cords after the power conditioner/distributor are more important than the cord from the wall to the conditioner (or at least the "needs" in each case are different)?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Smith
I don't recall comparing them on the same components so can't really say, but I preferred both to other cords tried in those same positions, including the Transparent.Quote:
Originally Posted by KeithR
Since Puma Cat refuses to abide by the AS TOS and list any of his industry affiliations, I would take anything he says with a grain of salt. If he is an official spokesman/brand ambassador/photographer/shill for Shunyata, he needs to post that in his signature.Quote:
Originally Posted by rbbert
They're equally important. You want the power cord from the wall to the power distributor to be able to deliver as much current as possible to the PD. You want the power cord from the PD to the components to provide 1) DTCD (dynamic transient current delivery and 2) noise reduction. The purpose of the NR power cord is to prevent noise from the component's power supply from coming back out of the component to be distributed to the rest of the system. It's important to have these power cords on all components, as using just one generic black power cord will allow noise from a component's power supply to contaminate the rest of the system components. So...you're better off using a lower specification, less expensive NR power cord on all components, than one more expensive PC on just one component.Quote:
Originally Posted by rbbert
But how about just one expensive cord to the conditioner, as Jim suggests? That would appear to be reasonable, and I doubt there is good experimental evidence to support or refute?
I've made the relevant points here clear a couple times: 1) the power cord (PC) from the wall needs to deliver as much current as possible when required by the musical content to the power distributor (PD). 2) the PC from component connected to the PD needs to mitigate noise from the component's internal power supply. Just using one type or the other will not provide the requisite or optimal functionality.Quote:
Originally Posted by rbbert
He's made the relevant points clear several times so you must be a dolt.Quote:
Originally Posted by rbbert
Rob, that PC does not need to be 'expensive' !Quote:
Originally Posted by rbbert
Good one! But perhaps you should be more respectful of your fellow reviewers ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by mep
I should have posted "high-quality" rather than expensive...Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikado463
Despite making the relevant points here clear a couple of times, you managed to avoid answering my question (a time honored technique)...Quote:
Originally Posted by Puma Cat
A well designed power cord should make both.Quote:
Originally Posted by Puma Cat
All engineering involves functional compromises or engineering "trade-offs". There are no products with perfect functionality of *any* type.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spock
With respect to power cords, one's dealing with somewhat "conflicting" functional responses, so to obtain optimal performance, best performance is obtained by using a "high current" PC (e.g. Shunyata XC series) for power distributors, and an NR PC for components, e.g. Venom NR V10 or V12, Delta NR v2, Alpha NR v2, Sigma NR v2, etc.
Rob, you should check out some of the Sablon Audio cables. They are great cables and less expensive than a lot of the others since Mark Coles sells direct so there is no middle man.Quote:
Originally Posted by rbbert
Yes I have considered them, although the last time I checked he was having problems with his supply chain (surprise!). I'll take another look. WyWires is another small company with well-made reasonably priced cables (as you can see in my profile I have been happy with the ones I have). My old college classmate Garrett Hongo is very big on the new Audience cords and conditioners although without accommodation pricing I don't know if I want to go in that direction.Quote:
Originally Posted by dminches
Keith-
No shortage of opinions amongst us audiophiles here so might as well toss my hat in the ring.
With my humble sound machine, I have found exotic cables to be anti-climatic at best.
Might this old time shop teacher entice you to a little DIY?
I like the DH Labs Red Wave AC cable. It can terminate with Wattgate or Furutech offerings. More recently, I tired some are gold plated Edison and IEC plugs available on Amazon; around $30 US shipped, the pair. If you need a 20 amp IEC, the options are more limited.
Food for Thought.
Enjoy the Sounds,
John